This document contains notes on systems technologies and includes: hardware, software, troubleshooting, licensing, operating systems, RAM vs. storage, printers, input devices, output devices, storage devices, communication devices, virtual vs. augmented reality and devices for physically challenged...
SYSTEM TECHNOLOGIES
Software:
Types of software:
Application software: Programs that perform specific tasks for us as users
Multimedia software: Used to create or view multimedia content and combine text, sound,
images, drawings, animations, and video to communicate ideas.
Communications software: Used to make electronic communications simple, effective, and
efficient
Email programs
Web browsing software
Online chat rooms
Instant Messaging
VoIP software
Reason for compatibility issues:
Every company has a different way to encode data in files
Software expects data to be encoded in a certain way
If encoding is not what is expected –error message or a scrambled document
Solutions to compatibility issues:
Export: Save the document in another format
Import: Import / ‘Open with’ – open a file in another format
Upgrade: Have the latest versions or consider subscription
Standardise: Everyone in organisation uses the same version of software
Software Bugs:
an error in a program caused by the way it was programmed.
Tools for combating software bugs:
Testing: ‘Beta’ versions of software are tested by the public
Error reporting: Use error reporting facilities – often provided when programs crash
Keeping software up to date: Updates contain bug fixes that make software work better
Check the ‘Help’ or ‘About’ menus – look for check for updates
If connected to the internet, the software will check if an update is available
Service packs vs. Updates:
Service packs Updates
Collection of all previous updates for last Software regularly checks for updates
period of time
Pretty much a thing of the past Updates are automatically downloaded and
installed
Web-based software:
Installed entirely and run directly form a server on the internet
Browse to a website and run such an app from the website
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Advantages
Software can be used from any computer anywhere in the world
Software is always up to date
Don’t have to download or install the software onto your device which save storage space
Don’t have to upgrade hardware to match specifications of software
Compatibility issues are not really a problem
Disadvantages
Cannot use the software if you don’t have internet connection
Performance is affected by speed and quality of internet connection
Web applications have a slower performance than desktop applications
Software might not have all features or capabilities of the traditional desktop
Freeware, shareware, and proprietary software:
Freeware: software that is available for use at no cost or for a nominal usually voluntary fee
Shareware: software provided to its users free for a limited period of time after which software
needs to be paid
Proprietary software: Proprietary software is any software that is copyrighted and bears limits
against use, distribution and modification that are imposed by its publisher, vendor, or developer.
Proprietary software remains the property of its owner/creator and is used by end-
users/organizations under predefined conditions. Proprietary software may also be called closed-
source software or commercial software.
Open-Source software:
Open-source software is computer software that is released under a license in which the copyright
holder grants users the rights to use, study, change, and distribute the software and its source
code to anyone and for any purpose.
Advantages:
Free to use, distribute, and modify
Lower costs
Secured as the code is accessible to everyone.
Anyone can fix bugs as they are found, and users do not have to wait for the next release.
Not dependent on the company or author that originally created it. Even if the company fails,
the code continues to exist and be developed by its users.
Companies using open-source software do not have to think about complex licensing models
and do not need anti-piracy measures like product activation or serial number.
Disadvantages:
They require effort and possibly training from your side before you are able to master them.
There is a shortage of applications that run both on open source and proprietary software;
therefore, switching to an open-source platform involves a compatibility analysis of all the other
software used that run on proprietary platforms
Many of the latest hardware are incompatible to the open-source platform; so, you have to rely
on third-party drivers.
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Licensing:
EULA (End user license agreement): a license that gives the user the right to use an application.
It details how the software application can be used, as well as explains any restrictions. Most end-
user license agreements, for example, prohibit the end user from sharing or distributing the
software in any way that benefits the buyer rather than the original creator.
A site license is a type of software license that allows the user to install a software package in
several computers simultaneously, such as at a particular site (facility) or across a corporation.
Types:
Patent Licensing: Patents cover science and innovation. Patent licensing agreements are the
documents through which a patent owner allows someone else to use their patent.
Trademark Licensing: Trademarks are signifiers of commercial source, namely, brand names
and logos or slogans. Trademark licensing agreements allow trademark owners to let others
use their IP.
Copyright Licensing: Copyright is the artwork of the IP world. Copyrights exist in, for example,
works of visual art, like paintings, or movies, or songs.
Trade Secret Licensing: Trade secrets are unique; in that they are not registered with the
government. Patents, trademarks, and copyrights are most valuable when they have been
registered with the federal government. Trade secrets are protected only through their secrecy.
Subscription model: A model in which a customer must pay a recurring price at regular intervals
for access to a product or service.
Creative commons: This is a set of copyright agreements that allows the public to freely
distribute and use copyright work. It is used when a developer wants to give people the right to
share, use and build upon a program that they have created.
Software installation – product key:
How to install software:
Online downloads with installers
o Go to the website of company that’s sells software
o Purchase using your card
o They provide a link to download the installation file
o Run the installer
o Software can also be bought form the app store
Online downloads without installers
o Usually, freeware or open-source software
o Software download is either a compressed file or single executable file (with .exe
extension)
o Use file manager to extract folder to where you want it on your hard drive
o Shortcuts have to be added by the end-user
Physical media (portable storage media -outdated method):
o Go to store to buy software in a box
o Box usually contains a CD or DVD
o Return home and insert media into the appropriate drive
o Installation usually starts automatically
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Steps when installing software:
1) Agreeing to the license Software operates under strict legal license. You cannot
agreement proceed with the installation if you don’t read and agree to the
license agreement (EULA)
2) Inputting product key/ Reasons:
activation code/ serial Links the copy pf software to you
number/ registration Prevents the same software from being installed on more
number devices than allowed
Enables help and online support
Prevent piracy
3) Choosing a folder for A default folder where the main part of the program will be
the program to install installed is suggested
to
4) Choosing type of Typical: the components of the software that most users
installation want
Custom: you can choose which components you want to
install
Full: all components of the software will be installed
5) Installing other extras Some programs allow you to add other ‘useful’ software
however some for these components may be dangerous to
install (possible spyware) unless the software is from a
reputable company. These options are selected by default and
require you to deselect them if you do not want them.
6) Checking for updates Asked to check for a newer version of the program is available
to download after the software has been installed
7) Registering online Asked to register the product which allows the company to
contact you with news of product updates etc. this option is
usually selected by default.
8) Adding shortcuts Most programs ask whether you want to add the software as a
shortcut on your desktop, however the application will always be
available from your Start Menu
9) A ‘tour’ of the program Finally, you will be asked if you want to run the program or take
a ‘tour’ pf the program Often in the form of a video clip or
presentation and shows you the latest features.
Subscription-based software:
User pays a monthly or yearly subscription for the use of the software e.g., Office 365
Office 365 still gives you access to an offline version (installed on the disk), but internet connection
is needed at least once a month so that your account can be verified, and updates can be
installed.
Fixing software problems:
Basic trouble shooting:
o ‘Freezing’ – nonresponsive tasks/applications: Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Alt + Delete)
and close the frozen of hanging applications.
Software ‘crash’:
o Reboot your system and try again – there may have been a combination of factors that
caused an unusual problem.
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